Arrive at Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to your accommodation by the Dead Sea.

After dinner, an introductory meeting with your guide will include technical information such as currency, dress code when visiting religious sites, weather forecast, routes and some historical background information.

Overnight in Dead Sea.

DAY 2: Masada, Dead Sea

Drive along the shoreline of the Dead Sea to MASADA, Israel’s foremost archaeological park.

Ascend via cable car for a thorough visit that gives insight to the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress.

Descend to the shores of the DEAD SEA for an afternoon of leisure.

Indulge yourselves in the mineral-rich black mud of the Dead Sea, float in its therapeutic waters or simply relax at the spa.

Pass via Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and drive north through the Afro-Syrian Rift Valley, alongside the Jordan River, to your hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight in Sea of Galilee.

DAY 3: Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Safed

Visit the “MAN IN THE GALILEE MUSEUM” where a 2000 year old ancient fishing boat, discovered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, is on display.

Drive along the north shore of the SEA OF GALILEE, the stage for most of the events in the New Testament:

MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, the traditional site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’.

TABGHA, the traditional site of the ‘miracle of the loaves and the fish’.

CHURCH OF PRIMACY, where St. Peter was re-instated.

CAPERNAUM, the centre of Jesus’ messianic work.

Sail in a boat across the SEA OF GALILEE to experience the tranquility and scenery little changed during the past 2000 years (subject to weather conditions).

Drive to the scenic GOLAN HEIGHTS, passing the modern city of Qatzrin and on to EMEK HA BACHA (Valley of Tears), one of the major battlegrounds of the Yom Kippur War.

Proceed through the Druze villages of the northern Golan Heights, descending to the Hula Valley via Banias (Caesarea Philippi) and on to visit the biblical and Canaanite town of TEL DAN, which became one of the major towns of the Israelites following the death of King Solomon.

Depart your hotel, driving through the Lower Galilee to the village of CANA, traditional site of the first miracle performed by Jesus, and on to NAZARETH and the CHURCH OF ANNUNCIATION.

Continue to MEGIDDO (ARMAGEDDON), one of the key archaeological sites in understanding the history of the Middle East.

Drive west to the shores of the Mediterranean for a thorough visit of CAESAREA MARITIMA, masterpiece of Herod the Great and domicile of the Roman governors.

Travel south via the outskirts of Tel Aviv, then east up through the Judean Mountains to Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 5: Jerusalem, Bethlehem

Start the morning with a visit to YAD VASHEM, the Holocaust Memorial Institute with its new historical museum.

Then on to the ISRAEL MUSEUM and SHRINE OF THE BOOK, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the large scale model of Jerusalem from the 2nd Temple Period. The museum was renovated and reopened in 2010 with many new exhibits.

Drive to BETHLEHEM to visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY the traditional birthplace of Christ and Manger Square (subject to local conditions).

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 6: Jerusalem

Drive via MOUNT SCOPUS passing the WWI British cemetery, Hadassah Hospital, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Stop atop the MOUNT OF OLIVES, for a panoramic view of the Old City, where over 4000 years of history unravels before you.

From the Mt of Olives descend to the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE at the foot of the mountain.

Continue through the Jewish cemetery to the biblical KIDRON VALLEY where ancient monuments mark the tombs of renowned personages from over 2000 years ago.

Enter the OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM via the Dung Gate and visit the WESTERN WALL – holiest shrine in Judaism today.

Walk the VIA DOLOROSA (Road of Suffering), stopping at the ‘STATIONS OF THE CROSS’ along the way, until GOLGOTHA and the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.

Visit the TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM for the history of Jerusalem, then walk through the eastern bazaar and the ROMAN CARDO and exit the walled town via Zion gate to MOUNT ZION for a visit to “ROOM OF THE LAST SUPPER” and “KING DAVID’S TOMB”.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 7: Ein Karem, Emek Ha’Ela, Jaffa/Hinom

After breakfast, visit KATEF HINOM (Shoulder of Hinom cemetery from the Old Testament period).

Travel to EIN KAREM, the traditional site of John the Baptist’s birth, with its churches and monasteries.

Descend from the Judean Mountains to EMEK HA’ELA, location of the battle between David and Goliath.

Continue to Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

Or

After breakfast travel to EIN KAREM, the traditional site of John the Baptist’s birth, with its churches and monasteries.

Descend from the Judean Mountains to EMEK HA’ELA, location of the battle between David and Goliath.

Travel through Tel Aviv to the ancient port city of JAFFA on the Mediterranean Sea. Stroll through the renovated Old City, featuring restored buildings, art galleries, theatres, souvenir shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and promenades.